Toyota's Corolla Remains Japan's Best-Selling Car for Third Consecutive Year
Despite a significant sales decline, Toyota's Corolla remained the top-selling car in Japan for the third consecutive year in 2005. According to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association, the Corolla sold 149,810 units, a 13.6% decrease from the previous year. The Vitz, another Toyota model, came in second, followed closely by Honda's Fit. Notably, Nissan's Note compact, which debuted in December, immediately ranked fifth in sales, while Mitsubishi's vehicles failed to make the top 30 list due to a recall scandal.
Key Takeaways:
- Toyota's Corolla was the best-selling car in Japan for the third consecutive year in 2005, although sales declined by 13.6% to 149,810 units.
- The Vitz and Fit from Toyota and Honda, respectively, came in second and third in sales rankings.
- Nissan's Note compact, which debuted in December, ranked fifth in sales, indicating its strong market presence.
- None of Mitsubishi's vehicles made the top 30 list, likely due to the recall scandal.
- Honda's Fit was the best-selling car in December 2005, selling 9,162 units, marking its first time since December 2004.
Statistics:
- Sales decline of Toyota's Corolla: 13.6%
- Sales of Toyota's Corolla: 149,810 units
- Sales of Honda's Fit: 125,894 units
- Sales of Nissan's Note compact: 93,925 units
- Sales of Honda's Fit in December 2005: 9,162 units
- Top 10 best-selling vehicles for 2005:
+ 1. Corolla (Toyota): 149,810 units
+ 2. Vitz (Toyota): 131,935 units
+ 3. Fit (Honda): 125,894 units
+ 4. Tiida (Nissan): 98,069 units
+ 5. Note (Nissan): 93,925 units
+ 6. Wish (Toyota): 92,006 units
+ 7. Step WGN (Honda): 91,745 units
+ 8. Passo (Toyota): 87,956 units
+ 9. Alphard (Toyota): 81,647 units
+ 10. Crown (Toyota): 79,546 units
Sources:
- Kyodo News International, Tokyo (Jan. 11)
- Copyright (c) 2006, Kyodo News International, Tokyo
- Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News